Washington, D.C.— This week, Congressman Jim Baird and Reps. Susan Wild, Jamaal Bowman, and Anthony Gonzalez introduced the Regional Innovation Act of 2021 to support regional innovation hubs.

“In order to strengthen America’s status as a world leader in innovation, we must invest in the future and eliminate economic roadblocks that stand in the way of progress,” said Congressman Baird.  “Indiana is widely recognized as a center for innovation, and I am proud to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to support Hoosiers and institutions across the country in their continued pursuit of ingenuity and advancement.”

Background:

This bill would establish a new grant program within the Economic Development Association for regional innovation to create planning grants for innovation hubs and phase 1 and 2 awards to create innovation ecosystem hubs. These would exist as a consortium of state, local, and regional government educational institutions, non-profits, and venture-capitals to create regional innovation hubs around the country that improve geographical diversity and establishes DOE clean energy regional hubs.